Learning new things around color, how to work with color in a safe academic environment like school where experimentation is encouraged. Seeing videos about advances in color theory and how culture as well as vision impacts how we view colors in our environments. This documentary by the BBC (Do You See What I See) opened my eyes to the complex worlds of color: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IqXyu14kpY. It showed me how many resources are out there with a little research and perseverance. Why some cultures see colors differently because of language and cultural differences. That there are photographers born without color cones in their eyes but compensate with shades of gray. New innovations helping the color blind see colors they have never seen and that we take for granted. But most of all having fun in lab classes and working with other artistically inclined peers. Meeting new friends with similar interests. Feeling part of a community of students with similar interests. And if you watch the video you will see how much the picture I included looks a lot like Beau Lotto’s shirt.

One of the great things about the internet and social media is the ability to share our achievements. While celebrating our achievements may seem more about self-aggrandizement, we cannot deny the fact that we find motivation from seeing how others have succeeded. The internet is, of course, replete with folks sharing what they are doing at any given moment, from what they are having for lunch to recent concerts or shows attended. Part of why we like to share these things is because we are asking others to replicate our actions. This is why it’s important to celebrate. Students are constantly looking for ways to emulate those that have had college success. So, the next time you get an “A” in class or on a test, please do share it. The next time you jumped over hurdles and through hoops, tell that story of how you succeeded. Anyone that has grinded out the college experience knows that challenges await. But it is a great benefit to have those role models that can show us the way.

We’ve all been there. You sign up for a class, pay tuition, and then are shocked to see how much textbooks cost. The added expense can at times exceed college tuition costs. So how to overcome? Here is a list of five ideas about how to get access to the books you need to succeed without going broke. Books on Reserve: Many professors put their own copies of the assigned required textbooks for the course on reserve in the library. Some schools use funds to purchase textbook that are particularly expensive and also provide them on reserve in the library for students to use. Books on reserve vary in availability, some can be checked out over night while others must remain in the library and can only be checked out for an hour. It would be well worth your time to send your professor an email and ask them if they have a copy of the book on reserve in the library. Even if they say no, it is still possible a copy may be there. Come to the library prepared with the title of the course, the instructors name, and the title and author of the assigned text. I’ve […]